Braces for underbite taking forever and a day

Wax is basically my best friend and my worst enemy - half the time it’s protecting my cheeks, the other half it’s just chilling on my tongue because it fell off again. I swear, there’s some secret technique nobody told me about. And yeah, jaw aches are intense. I started calling it “braces bootcamp.” My ortho said 18 months but…two years later, here I am, still rocking the metal smile. At least my wallet got a workout too.

That wax struggle is real - mine never stayed on for more than an hour before it disappeared or got all weird and crumbly. I honestly started cutting it into tiny pieces just to make it last longer, but then I worried about swallowing it... which probably happened more than I want to admit. And yeah, the timeline always seems way off. I get super anxious about whether my teeth are even moving at all sometimes. The jaw aches are the worst, especially at night. I do think it’s worth being extra careful with cleaning, though - food gets trapped everywhere and I swear that’s half the battle.

I honestly started cutting it into tiny pieces just to make it last longer, but then I worried about swallowing it... which probably happened more than I want to admit.

Can totally relate - swallowing wax is basically a rite of passage at this point. I tried to get creative and smoosh it on with a spoon once. Spoiler: didn’t help, just made my mouth taste weird. And yeah, the cleaning struggle is real. The first time I used those little proxy brushes, I felt like a dental archaeologist digging for ancient pizza crust. Braces are wild.

The first time I used those little proxy brushes, I felt like a dental archaeologist digging for ancient pizza crust.

That made me laugh way too hard - been there. Proxy brushes are both a blessing and a curse, honestly. I remember thinking I’d mastered them until I found an entire sesame seed hiding out weeks later. Wax is its own beast too; I swear half of mine ended up as accidental snacks. It feels endless now, but you’ll get through it, and your future self will thank you.

The struggle with proxy brushes is so real - I swear, they find crevices you didn’t even know existed. Here’s my little routine: brush, then floss, then poke around with a proxy brush and discover a tiny salad from last week. Wax? Half mine disappears before I even hit the bus stop. It’s a weird rite of passage, but trust me, getting rid of the underbite is worth every lost sesame seed.

The wax thing drives me nuts too... I go through it so fast, and honestly, buying more all the time gets expensive. Sometimes I try to ration it, but then I end up regretting it when a bracket starts digging in. The proxy brushes are helpful, but I always worry about missing spots or damaging something if I’m not careful. It’s definitely a learning curve, and I can’t help but count down the months - just hoping all this effort (and money) pays off in the end.

Wax really is one of those things you don’t think about until you’re constantly running out. I started buying the bigger tubs online instead of those tiny packets - saves a bit over time. The proxy brushes made me nervous at first too, but I found if I go slow and use a mirror, it’s way less stressful. Honestly, the countdown feels endless, but the payoff is so worth it in the end.

Totally get what you mean about the wax - my kid goes through it so fast, I swear it just disappears overnight. We started keeping a backup in the car after one too many “emergency” runs to the pharmacy. Those proxy brushes looked intimidating at first, but once my daughter got the hang of them, she actually prefers them now. The waiting part really drags, but seeing her smile change bit by bit keeps us motivated. It’s a marathon for sure, not a sprint.

That’s so true about the wax - my son would use up a whole pack in a week when he first started. Those proxy brushes ended up being a game changer for us too, even though I was skeptical at first. Did you ever try any other little tricks to help with the soreness?

Funny, I actually found the wax kind of annoying after a while. I know everyone swears by it at first, but for me, it always seemed to fall off right when I needed it most. My orthodontist suggested I try rinsing with warm salt water for the soreness, and honestly, that helped more than anything else. The taste isn’t great, but it took the edge off, especially after adjustments.

I’ll admit, I never really got into the proxy brushes. Maybe it’s just me, but the regular old floss threaders did the trick, even if they were fiddly. I guess I’m a creature of habit. I did try those silicone covers for brackets once - supposed to be an upgrade from the usual wax - but they just felt odd, like chewing on a rubber band. Not my thing, but maybe they work for some folks.

Chewing on cold cucumber slices was another weird trick I picked up somewhere. Sounds silly, but the crunch and the coolness seemed to help with the aching. Ice packs were hit or miss - sometimes they made my jaw feel stiff instead of better.

Looking back, I wonder if I was just overthinking the whole thing. The soreness comes and goes. Some days nothing helped, and others, it just faded away on its own. I guess everyone’s got their own little hacks, but for me, keeping it simple worked best.

You nailed it about the wax - mine always seemed to disappear right after I put it on. I’d find little bits stuck to my pillow the next morning, which is just... lovely. The salt water rinse was my go-to too, even if it tasted like I’d licked a pretzel. Ever try swishing with cold water instead? Sometimes that helped numb things for a bit, but then my teeth would ache like crazy after.

I never got the hang of those tiny brushes either. The floss threaders are fiddly, but at least you know what you’re getting into. Those silicone covers? I thought they’d be a game changer, but nope - felt like I was chewing on an eraser.

Funny you mention cucumbers. I used frozen grapes once when my jaw was really sore - kind of weird, but it worked in a pinch. Did you ever get those random days where your teeth felt fine and then BAM, out of nowhere, everything hurt again? It’s like your mouth has a mind of its own.

How long did your soreness last after adjustments? Mine usually hung around for a few days, then faded off... until the next round.

Those random pain flare-ups are honestly the worst - I’ve heard people describe them as “braces mood swings,” which feels about right. I’ve seen so many patients try all sorts of hacks, and you’re not alone with the wax bits everywhere (I still find some on my scrubs after a long day). For most folks, soreness after adjustments typically lingers for three to five days, but everyone’s pain tolerance is different. Frozen grapes are a clever trick - never thought of that one. Most people swear by salt water, but yeah, it’s basically like gargling the ocean.

I totally relate to the “braces mood swings” - some days I’m fine, other days it feels like my whole mouth is on strike. Frozen grapes are genius, though. I tried popsicles for relief but they got too messy. Salt water helps a bit, but yeah, the taste is just... not great. The wax thing is real - I keep finding bits stuck in the weirdest places. At least we’re all in this together, right?

- Popsicles were a mess for me too, but I actually prefer them over frozen grapes - less chewing, so less jaw ache.
- Salt water’s gross, agreed, but I think it helps more than wax. Wax always falls off for me, or I end up swallowing it...
- Anyone else feel like the “together” part only helps a little? Some days it’s just plain rough.

Salt water’s gross, agreed, but I think it helps more than wax. Wax always falls off for me, or I end up swallowing it...

Same here with the wax - every time I tried to use it, it was gone within an hour, either swallowed or just disappeared. My ortho kept saying it would help, but honestly, the salt water rinses (as nasty as they taste) seemed to work better for me too. Not fun, but at least they actually did something for the soreness.

I totally get what you mean about the “together” part not always helping. My ortho made a big deal about how having everything move at once would make it feel less intense, but there were days where my whole mouth just hurt and I couldn’t focus on anything else. Popsicles were my go-to for a while but then I got tired of the sticky mess, and chewing frozen grapes was just...not happening with my jaw pain.

One thing that helped me a bit was switching to softer foods for a few days after adjustments. Even stuff like scrambled eggs or overcooked pasta made a difference. It’s tough, but you’re definitely not alone in feeling like this is dragging on forever.

Popsicles were my go-to for a while but then I got tired of the sticky mess, and chewing frozen grapes was just...not happening with my jaw pain.

I tried the frozen grape thing too and instantly regretted it - felt like my teeth might just fall out. I’m new to all this, and honestly, every adjustment day I overthink what I’m supposed to eat. Mashed potatoes and oatmeal have basically become my safety net. I keep wondering if it’s normal for the wax to vanish so fast or if I’m just doing it wrong. The salt water rinse is gross but at least it doesn’t disappear on me. This whole process feels endless sometimes, especially with all the soreness.

I get what you mean about the wax - mine disappears in like an hour, even if I barely eat or drink. I actually started wondering if I was just swallowing it by accident? The mashed potatoes and oatmeal thing is real, but honestly I got so sick of them after a week that I tried scrambled eggs and soft pasta. It’s not as scary as I thought, and it didn’t make the soreness worse. Sometimes I think the salt water rinse helps a bit with the pain, even though the taste is awful. This whole thing really does feel never-ending, but maybe we’re just overthinking every tiny thing...

Yeah, the wax just vanishes for me too. I kept thinking maybe I was eating it without realizing, but my ortho said that’s actually pretty normal - guess it’s harmless if you do swallow a little. The mashed potato stage gets old fast, right? I tried pudding and yogurt at first, but after a few days I just wanted something with actual texture. Scrambled eggs and soft pasta are now my go-tos. Haven’t had any issues with pain getting worse from trying those either.

The salt water rinse is gross, but it really does take the edge off for a bit. I’ve also noticed that if I use it before bed, my mouth feels less irritated in the morning. Not sure if that’s just in my head or what.

Honestly, I think you’re onto something about overthinking every little thing. It’s easy to get hyper-focused on every new ache or weird feeling because the process drags on forever and there’s not much you can do except wait. Some days are better than others - sometimes my teeth barely hurt, then suddenly one random tooth is sore for no reason.

I keep reminding myself it’s all temporary (even though “temporary” feels like a year). My ortho said it’s totally normal for things to feel slow with underbite corrections, especially at first. Still annoying though.

If you haven’t already tried cold packs on your jaw, that helped me during the worst soreness days. Not a miracle cure or anything, but made eating less miserable.

Hang in there...it really does get easier once you settle into the routine - even if it feels like you’ll be stuck eating oatmeal forever.

That thing about the wax disappearing used to freak me out too - like, where did it even go? My ortho said the same, and honestly I just try not to overthink it anymore. I do get a little paranoid about swallowing stuff, but apparently it’s fine.

I totally get what you mean about wanting food with some bite. After a week of yogurt and applesauce, I was desperate for something that actually felt like chewing. Scrambled eggs and soft pasta were lifesavers for me too, though I still cut everything up tiny just in case. Every now and then I try something a bit firmer and instantly regret it - definitely learned my lesson with crusty bread.

The salt water rinse is gross, but I swear by it now. I actually think it does make a difference overnight - my mouth isn’t as raw when I wake up. Maybe it’s partly psychological, but anything that helps even a little is worth sticking with.

I’m always second guessing every weird ache or twinge, so you’re not alone there. Some days one tooth will randomly hurt like crazy for no reason, then be fine the next day. It’s hard not to spiral, but I keep reminding myself it’s part of the process.

Cold packs are great advice - I use them more than I’d like to admit. It’s not magic, but it takes the edge off enough that eating isn’t miserable. Just counting down the months at this point...

That whole “random tooth pain” thing drove me nuts too - sometimes it feels like your mouth is inventing new aches just to mess with you. You’re right, though, it’s all part of the process. I found the salt water rinse surprisingly helpful as well, even if it tastes awful. It’s wild how much patience this takes, but it really does add up over time... hang in there.